Not for publication
For planning purposes only
Susan Solarz (202) 841-2858
Patrick Collins (202) 720-2168
ROMINGER TO TOUR INVASIVE SPECIES INFESTATION SITES IN CHICAGO AREA
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2000 -- Agriculture Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger will lead a tour with Illinois officials on July 31 and August 1 to highlight the problems of invasive species infestations in the Chicago area and discuss options for eradication and prevention efforts.
WHO: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger
Illinois Natural History Survey Chief Dave Thomas
Illinois State Senator Lisa Madigan
Illinois DNR Deputy Director Jim Garner
Chicago Commissioner of Environment Bill Abolt
WHAT: Invasive Species Tour of Chicago
WHERE: Sites of invasive species infestations across Chicago and
surrounding communities
WHEN: Monday, July 31 and Tuesday, August 1, 2000
8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
NOTE: Reporters are welcome to join the entire tour or meet the group at selected stops. Below is the itinerary for the trip; contact Susan Solarz for further information.
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USDA Invasive Species Tour 2000:
Chicago, Illinois
Monday, July 31
8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks; Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger
Sulzer Library in Ravenswood
8:40 a.m. Overview of the tour and exotic species; David Lodge, University of Notre Dame
9:05 a.m. Asian Longhorned Beetle site visit;
APHIS, IL Dept. of Ag, Forest Service, City of Chicago
1:15 p.m. Indian Ridge Marsh exotic plant infestation; City of Chicago
2:30 p.m. Garlic mustard and purple loosestrife: Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve
IL Natural History Survey and NRCS State Conservationist
3:45 p.m. Zebra Mussel infestation, containment efforts; USFWS and INHS
Tuesday, August 1
9:30 a.m. Round Goby infestation: containment efforts and education;
USFWS and Army Corps of Engineers
11:00 a.m. Agricultural Research combating invasive species;
ARS
11:30 a.m. Gypsy Moth "Slow-the-Spread" and Pine Shoot Beetle programs;
FS and IL Dept. of Ag
1:00 p.m. Prairie restoration;
Team Midewin
5:00 p.m. Tour of APHIS airport inspection facility
Chicago O'Hare Airport
Addresses and site details *:
Sulzer Library in Ravenswood is located at 4455 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625. We will be in the Media room.
Indian Ridge Marsh is just west of the corner of 122nd St and Torrence Avenue. We will park along 122nd St.
Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve is just south of I-94 and 130th St - there is an exit labeled "Beaubien Woods". We will be near the picnic area. Alternatively, from 130th St, exit onto Ellis, do a U-turn onto 130th Terrace and follow past G W Carver High School -- the picnic area turn-in is marked.
Zebra Mussel infestation and Round Goby infestation sites are at Calumet Harbor -- We will meet near the Coast Guard Station, which is at 4001 East 98th Street.
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is located at 30071 South State Route 53 Wilmington, Illinois.
*Note that, on the itinerary, site locations are listed for the first event at each site only. Listings for subsequent speakers or events at the same site do not include a location description.